John Johnson 1860-1905

JOHNSON, PORTER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/10/2010 at 13:26:17

Two Meet Death
Bridge Foreman Johnson and Brakeman Harkness Killed
Former Fell From Car

Two of Rock Island’s trusted employees on this division of the system received injuries in accidents last Wednesday [August 30, 1905] from which both died the day following. John Johnson, foreman of the bridge crew, with headquarters in Estherville, fell from the boarding car at Emmetsburg and sustained injuries which proved fatal and David Harkness, a brakeman, had both his legs crushed under the wheels of a flat car in the Belmond gravel pit and died in a few hours.

Mr. Johnson had been working on his books until a late hour Wednesday night getting his monthly reports ready for sending to headquarters. When he completed his labors he ascended the ladder to the top of the car where the other members of the crew were passing the time at cards, the evening being very warm. He watched the game a few moments and then laid down by the side of the men and fell asleep.

Shortly after midnight, the air having become cooler, the men decided to retire. All except Henry Olson went down. He awakened Mr. Johnson and then took the lantern and followed, but he had not reached the ground when he was startled to find that Johnson had fallen from the car. He evidently stumbled after arousing himself from his sleep and while preparing to follow Olson down the ladder. He fell from the car to a shed at the side of the track and then rolled to the ground striking the journal of the car trucks, fracturing his skull back of the right ear.

Olson called to his companions who picked up the injured foreman and carried him to the St. James hotel and summoned Dr. Thos. A. O’Brien, the company’s local physician. Dr. O’Brien made an examination of the injuries and pronounced them fatal. Mr. Johnson’s wife was called from Estherville and left for Emmetsburg immediately. She returned home the next morning and was not with her husband when he passed away at 8:15 o’clock.

The remains were brought to Estherville Thursday afternoon and the funeral services were held at the home of the deceased, 501 North Fourth street, at 2:30 o’clock Saturday afternoon, being conducted by Rev. C. E. McColly, pastor of the Free Baptist church and the Modern Woodmen of American, of which order the deceased was a member. The remains were interred in Oak Hill cemetery.

Mr. Johnson was born near Gothenburg, Sweden, June 8, 1860, and came to America in 1884, settling in Cedar Rapids. Twenty years ago he entered the employ of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern railway company as bridge carpenter and has since been in the employ of that company and the Rock Island. He was married December 20, 1892, to Mrs. Anna Porter at Iowa Falls, where he was then stationed. Five years ago the couple moved to Estherville which has since been their home.

The deceased was one of the most trustworthy and popular employees on this division of the Rock Island system and enjoyed the confidence and respect of a wide circle of friends who deeply mourn his tragic death. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, September 6, 1905)

John Johnson Killed at Emmetsburg
John Johnson, foreman of the Rock Island bridge crew, was killed at Emmetsburg Wednesday night by accidentally falling from the top of a freight car. It was a warm night and Mr. Johnson in company with Henry Olson, Anton Johnson and Ole Johnson, three other employees in the bridge department had gone on the top of the car in which they had their sleeping quarters, and while they were sitting there Mr. Johnson fell asleep. A little after 12 o’clock the other gentlemen [ ] and called to Mr. Johnson to get [ ] and walked to the side of the car and fell off. Several feet below he struck the roof of a coal house and from that fell against the car wheel, the back of his head striking the edge of the wheel fracturing his skull, rendering him unconscious. A doctor was at once summoned but he never regained consciousness and died the following morning at 8:30. His remains were brought here for burial Thursday afternoon. The services were in charge of the Modern Woodmen of which he was a member and carried a $2,000 life insurance policy.

Mr. Johnson had been a resident of Estherville the past six years and was an honest, hardworking man. The officials of the Rock Island say that he was one of the best bridge men on the entire system and his death is deeply deplored. A wife and one brother and sister are left to mourn his untimely death. He was forty-six years of age. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, September 6, 1905)